CalBike
  • About Us
  • Get Involved
    • Speak Up for Safe Passage for Bikes
    • Tell the Governor: Daylighting Saves Lives
    • Tell Governor Newsom: Decriminalize Fare Evasion
    • Volunteer
    • Join/Renew
  • What We Do
    • Stay Informed about E-Bike Incentives
    • 2023 Legislative Watch
    • Sign-On Letters
    • More…
  • Resources
    • E-Bike Resources
    • What Is an E-Bike? A Guide to California E-Bike Classifications.
    • California Bicycle Laws
    • Map & Routes
    • Register Your Bike
    • Learn to Bike at Any Age
    • Free Quick-Build Bikeway Design Guide
  • News
    • Blog
    • CalBike In the News
    • Press Releases
    • CalBike Insider
  • Shop
  • Donate
  • Search
  • Menu Menu

Shasta Bike Depot Will Help Redding Embrace Its Potential as a Bikeable City

Shasta Bike Station

When Anne Wallach Thomas was growing up in the 1970s in Palo Cedro, outside Redding in Shasta County, kids rode their bikes everywhere. When she moved back home to Shasta County in 2010 after a couple of decades away, she found a much more car-centric community than when she left.

Thomas wanted to help the City of Redding and Shasta County “get out from under all these car-centric roadways,” she said. So she founded Shasta Living Streets and later became its Executive Director.

CalBike is the fiscal sponsor for Shasta Living Streets. Thomas appreciates the support of CalBike staff and its board. “They have nurtured us,” she said. “We are the other California [away from the coastal cities]. I want CalBike to represent the other California.”

Now, after 10 years of starting conversations and inviting people to experience new things through events and pop-ups, the work of Shasta Living Streets is about to bear its biggest fruit. With support from the McConnell Foundation and an Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities (AHSC) grant, Thomas and Shasta Living Streets are realizing a vision: the Shasta Bike Depot. The Depot, which will be completed in mid-2021, will provide support to residents and visitors who embrace active living and a car-free lifestyle. It will also serve as a gateway between newly bike-friendly downtown streets and more than two hundred miles of off-road bike trails.

To understand how far Redding has come, we need to look back at where it’s been.

A Gold Rush city

During the gold rush era, Redding was a bustling hub, with prospectors coming through to look for gold in far Northern California. Redding was founded as a rail-stop, on a bluff overlooking the Sacramento River.

Redding has a mixed relationship with biking. The city sits in the foothills, it’s crossed by north-south and east-west highways, and a river runs through it. Like so many other cities, the freeway off-ramps and Caltrans-controlled state routes that bisect downtown make safe biking and walking connections hard to find. In addition, as Redding grew it spread from compact historic neighborhoods to new suburban neighborhoods at the edge of town. Residents abandoned the downtown core.

The best biking destination you never heard of

And yet, people on bikes have long been part of Redding’s outdoor lifestyle and the area has been home to several biking milestones. The Shasta Wheelmen first came together with 100 members in the late 1880s. A century later, the first mountain biking race in the world, the Whiskeytown Downhill, was held in the hills outside Redding. (Gary Fisher won the race.) Shasta Living Streets held one of the earliest Open Streets events in California, starting in 2011. The organization also created the first parklet on a Caltrans-controlled street in Redding.

The region is home to some fantastic bike trails as well. The Sundial Bridge, which takes bicyclists and pedestrians across the Sacramento River, is a striking structure that offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside. From the bridge, you can bike the Sacramento River Trail. A few years ago, inspired by the plans to build these trails, American Trails moved their home office to Redding.

Sundial Bridge, Redding

Gateway to the mountains

Over the Sundial Bridge and outside of town, 220 miles of mountain bike track plus 25 miles of paved bike trails wind through the hills, with Mount Shasta as a backdrop. With a 4-star hotel at the base of the bridge, the area seems like a natural draw for bicycle tourism. Off-road biking is growing in popularity in Redding, thanks to world class mountain biking routes and two new bike parks. Yet, the biking trails are only accessible by car. Thomas pointed out that most people feel uncomfortable biking into town to eat dinner after riding the trails. The fast-moving traffic on connecting streets makes the routes uncomfortable to ride for everyone but the most fearless cyclists.

Still, Redding isn’t a name that comes to mind when people list California’s best cities for biking. The off-road trails are great, but there are few low-stress city routes. However, thanks to the hard work and vision of Shasta Living Streets, the McConnell Foundation, and local government and business leaders, that is about to change.

Challenges to create a truly bike-friendly Redding

Unlike many other California cities, it didn’t experience a revitalization of its downtown in the early 2000s. It took a long time, but people across the region are again embracing and restoring life to downtown Redding.

Money was a barrier. With a low tax base, funds to make improvements were scarce after a failed downtown mall development. But, Thomas said, “Today government and foundation grants have helped build the new projects that are under construction now, and these are driving additional investments.” The 2018 Downtown Specific Plan incorporated community interests, and focused attention on making the downtown district “a pedestrian- and bike-friendly place to live work and play” she said.

Downtown renewal projects were delayed but not stopped by the Carr Fire, which famously burned through the parts of western Shasta County and Redding, destroying 1,500 homes, bringing months of smoke, and stifling business and tourism across the region. In the aftermath, Thomas said, the entire community embraced downtown revitalization like never before.

The development was partially funded by two of the state’s largest Sustainable Community grants. These projects combine coordinated active transportation and transit improvements with affordable housing.

Connecting bikes to downtown Redding

The downtown revitalization plans include a Downtown Loop Trail, linking three routes to connect people across the downtown core. The Diestlehorst bridge into downtown will provide the safe and convenient connection for people walking and biking to and from downtown and the Sacramento River Trail that people have long desired. That trail is slated to be completed in 2021.

This new trail will run right by another component of the plan: the Shasta Bike Depot. The trail and the Depot will remove barriers and allow people to come into town by bike.  “Our calculations show that more than 68,000 people live within three miles of the Loop Trail,” Thomas said. “Since most people can ride three miles in 20 minutes, and most car trips are three miles or less, the Loop Trail begins to create a truly bikeable city that serves all residents.”

The Shasta Bike Depot will bring it all together

“We’re building on Redding’s assets and bringing successful models from other places to serve our community’s needs,” Thomas said of the Shasta Bike Depot. “We’re putting it together in a unique way that fits the style of relaxed outdoor culture in our city and this region. People in Redding and Shasta County aren’t just ready for this – they are excited about it.”

The Shasta Bike Depot is part of the Bell Plaza project. The Depot will have the North State’s first secure bike garage and a bike-friendly café. It will create a social and practical hub for local riders and trail enthusiasts, in addition to people visiting from out of town. Shasta Living Streets, under Thomas’ direction, will manage the Depot. It will offer guided e-bike tours of the river trail, an e-bike charging station, a bikeshare system, information exchange, and youth programs.

“I suspect it will feel a little bit like a clubhouse,” Thomas said. “It’s a visitors center, it’s a transit center.” The building’s architect called the site the “Start Here” spot for biking in and around Redding and the North State. “There’s no reason why Redding can’t have what Salesforce Plaza in San Francisco has in terms of cool amenities for active living and transit,” Thomas said.

Amenities to create “smoothness”

The vision of the Shasta Bike Depot is to create a gathering place that will support everyone who wants to bike in Shasta County. The Depot will offer amenities that create “comfort, convenience, enjoyment and smoothness,” Thomas said. “When people want to start biking or go out on our trail system, they have questions, and it feels like a secret society. Where do I ride? What do I wear? How do I put my bike on the bus?” They can find answers at the Bike Depot.

Construction is going full steam ahead and even the coronavirus can’t slow the Shasta Bike Depot down. Tours and classes will be held outdoors. The café will include outdoor seating. “Biking helps individuals and communities be stronger and more resilient in the health and economic crisis we are facing now,” Thomas said. She expects the Depot to open for business on schedule next summer. By that time, the trail connection to downtown will also be complete.

“There are lots of people driving in and out of downtown who would like to try biking. They are looking for encouragement and waiting for safe routes,” Thomas said. She hopes that, once the locals find out how fun it is to bike around downtown, they will support low-stress bikeways into their neighborhoods. That will help raise Redding and Shasta County into the ranks of top places for active and healthy living.

“When we give a lot more people the resources, skills and confidence they need to get around safely and conveniently by bike, they discover the ease and joy of bicycling,” Thomas said.
“Then our community becomes healthier, happier, and more prosperous.”

If you want more information about the Shasta Bike Depot, email Anne Thomas.

bellplaza_1

Shasta Bike Station

bellplaza_2

Shasta Bike Station construction

DowntownIsTransformingFast_AHSC

Shasta Bike Station construction

RepurposingOldBldg_forCafe

Shasta Bike Station

C1242-BELL PLAZA – Aerial

Follow a manual added link

Get Email Updates

Follow a manual added link

Join Calbike

  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to Twitter
  • Link to LinkedIn
  • Link to Mail
  • Link to Instagram
About Us

Staff
Board
Financials & Governance
Local Partners
State & National Allies
Careers
Contact Us

What We Do

California Bicycle Summit
E-Bike Advocacy
2023 Legislative Watch

Take Action

Current Projects
Past Projects
Donate
Volunteer
Join or Renew

Resources

Maps & Routes
Crash Help and Legal Resources
Quick Build Guide
All Resources

News

CalBike Blog
CalBike in the News
Press Releases
CalBike Insider

© California Bicycle Coalition 2023

1017 L Street #288
Sacramento, CA 95814
© California Bicycle Coalition 2023

VMT vs. LOS: VMT FTW!VMT vs. LOSCentral Valley Bikeways Project - BakersfieldCalBike Launches Central Valley Community Bikeways Survey
Scroll to top
Font Resize
Accessibility by WAH
  • $2 Billion for Bikes
  • 2020 Legislative Watch
  • 2023 Legislative Watch
  • About Us
    • Social Media
    • Who We Are
      • Board of Directors
      • Local Partners
      • Staff
      • State and National Allies
    • Strategic Plan
    • Our History
      • Past Policy Wins
    • Financials & Governance
    • Sign-On Letters
    • Careers
    • Volunteer
    • Contact Us
  • Become A Corporate Partner
  • Become A Corporate Partner
  • Better Street Design
  • Bicycle Safety Stop Campaign
  • Biking Is Not a Crime
  • Business Member
  • Business Members
  • CalBike Community
  • CalBike Equity Statement
  • CalBike In the News
  • CalBike Insider
  • CalBike Seeks Interim Deputy Director
  • California Bicycle Coalition: Celebrating 25 Years
  • Car Donation FAQs
  • Celebrate our 25th Anniversary
  • Climate Ride for CalBike
  • Climate Ride for CalBike
  • Corporate Partners – Take Action Now
  • COVID-19 and Bicycling
    • FAQs About Bicycling Safely During COVID-19
    • Learn to Bike at Any Age
    • Tips and Tricks for Happy Biking
    • Bike Match
  • Details
  • Donate
    • Donate by Mail
  • Donate Campaign
  • Donate Monthly
  • Donate to the California Mobility Fund, Tax-Deductible
  • Donate, Tax-Deductible
  • E-Bike Purchase Incentives
  • E-Bike Resources
  • Edgerunner 11i Giveaway – OP
  • End Parking Minimums — Yes on AB 1401
  • Events
    • Agenda Reveal Party
    • California Bicycle Summit
      • Guide to an Inclusive and Equitable Summit 2022
      • Location
      • Rides & Tours
      • Schedule
      • Scholarships
      • Steering Committee
      • Virtual Summit
      • Virtual Summit
      • Workshops & Presenters
      • Advance Symposia for the California Bicycle Summit
      • Public Statement of Equity and Inclusion 2022
      • California Bicycle Summit Steering Committee
      • Past Summits
        • 2019 California Bicycle Summit: Intersections
        • 2022 California Bicycle Summit
        • 2019 California Bicycle Summit Program
        • 2019 California Bicycle Summit Guide to an Inclusive and Equitable Summit
        • 2017 California Bicycle Summit
        • 2015 California Bicycle Summit: Equity in Motion
        • 2015 California Bicycle Summit program
        • 2013 California Bicycle Summit
        • 2011 California Bike Summit
    • Advocacy Day
    • California Dream Ride
    • California Dream Ride
    • House Parties
    • Past Events
      • Advocacy Week
      • CalBike Chipotle Chowdown: May 31st, 2018!
      • California Dream Ride
      • California Dream Ride
      • Free Webinar: Gearing Up For A Winning ATP Application
      • Low Carbon Fuel Standards Workshop
      • Transportation Equity Summit
      • Transportation Equity Summit & Advocacy Day
      • Transportation Equity Summit 2017
      • Webinar: E-Bike Grant Opportunity in ARB Car-Sharing Pilot Program
      • Webinar: The Why & How of Protected Bike Lanes
      • Webinar: Ticket Diversion Programs
  • Fake Map Demo
  • FAQs
  • Footer
  • Freedom to Walk Campaign
  • Fundraising Essentials
  • Go For a Ride
    • California Bicycle Laws
    • California Bicycle Laws (2021 Update Draft)
    • Crash Help
    • Map & Routes
    • Why Ride?
  • History Archive
    • 2012 Legislative Year in Review
    • 2012-2017 Strategic Plan
    • 2013 Legislative Year in Review
    • 2014 Year in Review
      • Govenor Signs Protected Bikeway Act
    • 2015 Year in Review
      • 2015 Leg Tracker Wrap-Up
      • E-bike Prohibitions Removed
      • Stop the Helmet Mandate
    • Better Bikeways for All
    • Getting More Bike Lanes Just Got a Whole Lot Easier
    • Governor Signs Protected Bikeways Act
    • Governor’s Transportation Agency increases bike funding by 35%
    • Reforming the CTCDC
    • SSTI Review of Caltrans Scathing and Hopeful
    • Stop AB 738
    • Summary of 2011 Legislation
  • Holiday Fundraising Opt-Out
  • Humpback
  • Invest/Divest
  • Join CalBike and Get Special Gifts
  • Join CalBike and Get Special Gifts, Ed Fund
  • Join the CalBike Mailing List
  • Landing Page
  • Landing Page
  • License Plate
    • Bicycle Awareness License Plate FAQ
  • Newsroom
    • Press Releases
  • OmniBike Bill AB 1909
  • Our Initiatives
    • Bike Education
    • Bike Share
    • Full Lane for Safety
    • Fund California’s Bikeways
      • Walk-Bike Networks
    • Legalize Hand-Holding: Riding Two Abreast
    • Open Streets
    • Protected Bike Lanes
    • Quick-Build Bikeway Networks for Safer Streets
      • Order a Quick-Build Promotional Brochure
    • Three Feet for Safety
    • What We Did: Past Campaigns and Projects
    • Transportation Justice
      • Breaking Down the Silos
      • CTC Assessment
      • Mobility Justice Labs
      • SB 1 Campaign
        • SB 1: Program by Program
    • Streets for Everyone
      • Better Bikeway Design
      • Complete Streets Campaign
        • Call Your Assembly Member to Support Complete Streets Bill, SB 127
        • Support the CalBike Complete Streets Campaign
        • Complete Streets Supporters
      • Low-Stress Bikeway Networks
    • Central Valley Bikeways Project
      • Central Valley Bikeways Survey
      • Project Plans and Resources
      • Project Maps
      • Fresno
      • Bakersfield
      • Merced
    • Healthy Climate and Communities
      • Autonomous Vehicles Must Make Biking Better
      • Bike Sharing
      • Bike Tourism for Economic Development
      • Community Bike Shops
      • E-Bike Campaigns
        • SB 400 E-Bike Voucher FAQs
    • A Stronger Movement
      • Electing Allies to Office
      • The Untokening
      • Walk Bike Youth Leaders
  • Plan for the Future Campaign
  • Recurring Donations
  • Register Your Bike
  • Resources
    • Design Best Practices
      • Bike & Pedestrian Plan Inventory
      • Webinar: Complete Low-Stress Bike Networks
    • Fact Sheets and FAQs
      • Complete Streets Fact Sheet
      • E-Bikes Fact Sheet
      • Give Me 3 FAQ
      • Helmet Mandates Fact Sheet
      • Protected Bikeways Act FAQ
      • Safe Routes to School
    • Funding Sources
      • Active Transportation Program Resources
      • Webinar: How to Access State Funding for Bike-Share and Micromobility
    • Get our Beautiful Jersey
    • Other Resources
    • Our Video Channel
  • Salsa test page
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
  • Summit Thank You Page
  • Support the INVEST in America Act
  • Take Action
    • $10 Billion for a Bikeable Bay Area
    • Bike the Vote
    • Call the Assembly to Support AB 3153
    • Complete Streets Petition
    • Connected Bikeway Networks Petition
    • Drive Less-Bike More Petition
    • Dutch Reach Petition
    • National Transportation Funding Petition
    • Reform Traffic Law Enforcement
    • Save Bike-Share!
    • Show Your Organization’s Support for SB 127
    • Sign the Petition: $10M E-Bike Affordability Program
      • Thank you for supporting affordable e-bikes for Californians
    • Tell Governor Newsom to Sign the Complete Streets Bill Today!
    • Tell the Assembly to Support E-Bikes
    • Tell Your Senator to Support the Bike Parking Bill
    • Visionary Transportation Planning: AB 1147
    • YES on AB 117
    • Yes on AB 1238
    • Yes on SB 288 for More Bike Lanes
    • Tell the State Health Officer that Bike Repair Shops Are Essential
  • Tell the State Health Officer that Bike Repair Shops are Essential
  • Temp
  • Thank You
  • Thank you
  • Thank you
  • Thank You
  • The Latest
  • The Latest
  • Yes on AB 43 for Slow Streets
  • Driver Cut Off
  • Driver Left Turn
  • Driver Right Turn
  • Entering the Roadway
  • Passing